|
October 17, 2003 D'var
Torah
Dear BSO Congregant,
This coming Shabbat, October 17-18, 2003 - Tishrei 22, 5764, we will read the
portion designated for Shemini Atzeret (Deuteronomy 14:22 - 16:7). In addition
there is a separate Maftir reading (Numbers 29:35 - 30:1). On Saturday night/Sunday,
October 18-19, 2003 - Tishrei 23, 5764 we will hold our Simhat Torah services.
On Simhat Torah morning we read three separate Torah portions (Deuteronomy 33:1
- 34:12; Genesis 1:1 - 2:3; Numbers 29:35 - 30:1). The Haftarot readings are
I Kings 8:54 - 66 for Shemini Atzeret and Joshua 1:1 - 18 for Simhat Torah .
This coming weekend we observe the final festivals in the Jewish version
of what we might call the “Fall Classics.” On Shabbat we
will observe Shemini Atzeret (which is specifically mentioned in the
Torah). Simhat Torah (which is not) will be celebrated on Saturday night
and Sunday.
“
Simhat Torah- Rejoicing with the Torah” is a festival that was
added and invented by rabbinic sages. In Israel, among Reform Jews
worldwide, and in a few scattered Conservative congregations, Shemini
Atzeret and Simhat Torah are observed on the same day, which this year
would occur this coming Shabbat.
When I first learned of this double festival celebration held on the same day,
my immediate reaction was that the two festivals seem so incongruous. How can
Shemini Atzeret join together with Simhat Torah since Shemini Atzeret is a
day on which we observe yizkor – our community memorial service? How
is it possible to move from the extreme joy and rejoicing of Simhat Torah to
the somber and sorrowful moods of yizkor within the same service? Obviously
it can be done, because it is done each year in Israel and in synagogues included
in the group mentioned above.
More recently I have discovered that while in practical terms it might be difficult
to quickly change moods so drastically, there is a lesson which can be learned
from Simhat Torah which seems to fit along perfectly with yizkor. The lesson,
in my opinion, could not be more profound, simpler, or more beautiful.
To understand the lesson, let’s review one of the things we actually
do on Simhat Torah. This holiday is the day on which we conclude our annual
reading of the Torah. We read the final chapters, with the very last section
being reserved as a special honor to a worthy individual (this is the “Hatan
Torah – groom of the Torah,” and this year we are honoring Todd
Gardner). Immediately following the reading of this final section, we will
begin reading the Torah anew, from Chapter 1 of Genesis (in our synagogue,
this honor is called “Kallat B’raysheet – the bride of B’raysheet,” and
this year we extend this honor to Debbie Kovalsky). The lesson should be quite
obvious – as soon as we end the reading we begin again and anew. In other
words, the end is never really the end, never finally the end, never fully
the end. The end is just another opportunity to start over again.
Now the Torah is one of the primary symbols of life in the Jewish religion.
The powerful words we sing as we return the Torah to the Ark tell us “Etz
Hayim Hee – it is a Tree of Life.” Our prayers refer to the
Five Books of Moses as “Torat Hayim – a Torah of Life.” So
the lesson is that when we get to the end, it is not the end of our study,
of our commitment to the Book of Life – rather it is an opportunity
to review life from the beginning once again.
So it is with yizkor. On the one hand we know that our loved ones have
died. On the other hand, there is something which compels us to return
to them, to revisit them, to renew our relationships with them once again.
The impact of their lives upon us never fully ends. Yizkor, at this time
of the year, and especially on Shemini Atzeret, which is observed with
Simhat Torah in Israel, demonstrates that much of what is essential about
their lives, and ours, is continually renewed.
When we complete the reading of the Five Books of Moses, or for that
matter, any of the Five Books of Moses, we all stand and recite the words, “Hazak,
hazak, v’nithazayk – strong, strong, let us be strong together.” Completing
the annual reading gives us strength, and so does the anticipation of
starting once again from the very beginning. So it is with yizkor. Revisiting
the influence of our loved ones gives us additional strength and allows
us to move ahead as we carry them with us in our lives, which is hopefully
guided by Simhat Torah – the joy of the Torah which comes to us
as the supreme gift from God.
Past Divrei Torah can be seen at http://www.bnaishalomofolney.org
Our service on Friday night, October 17 will begin at 6:00 PM.
Our services on Shabbat, October 18 will begin at 9:15 AM and 7:30
PM. Candle lighting time on Saturday night October 18 is 7:06 PM.
Our service on Sunday morning October 19 will begin at 9:15 AM.
Shabbat Shalom and Hag Samayah,
Rabbi Philip Pohl |